This coming Wednesday, Russian light welterweight Khabib Allakhverdiev (16-0, 7 KOs) steps into the ring to take part in his biggest career fight against IBO 140lb champion Kaizer Mabuza (24-8-3, 15 KOs). The bout is set to go at the CSKA Palace of Sports in Moscow, Russia, on June 20.

Allakhverdiev was originally scheduled to fight former WBO champion Kendall Holt (28-5, 16 KOs) on the same date, but the American withdrew due to some visa issues. However, the promoter of the event Vladimir Hryunov predicts that the South African will be even more dangerous than the previous opponent.

“Indeed, Allakhverdiev meets Mabuza in the ring on June 20, and I consider this [fight] to be a big sensation”, said Hryunov to R-Sport media agency. “Mabuza fought Holt before in 2010, and he stopped him, so we are fighting not Kendall but his conqueror, which is even a bigger step up in class. We had a back-up agreement with Kaizer in mind, and when Holt was forced to withdraw we invited Mabuza."

"I consider this to be a tougher fight for Khabib than Kendall. Mabuza is much more physically stronger than Holt and his style is very awkward. He is much more inconvenient than Holt and Khabib’s previous opponents."